Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom, but it's not on the island of Great Britain. So why is it hosting the “British” Open this week?

Xander Schauffele will look to defend his British Open title against a field led by Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler when the 153rd Open Championship begins at Royal Portrush on Thursday.

The 2025 Open Championship is a tournament for long shots. Shane Lowry won at this year’s host course, the Royal Portrush Golf Club, in 2019 as a +8000 long shot before he teed off in Round 1. He wasn’t a favorite to win before Round 2 or Round 3 before becoming the overwhelming favorite heading into the final round.

Golf's oldest Major Championship returns to Northern Ireland and Royal Portrush, packed with plenty of storylines. We break down the key things you need to know about The 153rd Open before the first tee shot.

Rahm has a particular affinity for Ireland, having captured two Irish Opens here on a couple of the most beloved tracks on the island. He stormed to a six-shot win in the 2017 edition at Portstewart, which is just up the road from Portrush, and seized a second two years later at Lahinch in County Clare.

The final major championship of the PGA Tour season comes to us from the beautiful coast of Northern Ireland, with Royal Portrush Golf Club in County Antrim hosting the 2025 Open Championship. Royal Portrush last hosted the Open Championship in 2019 when Shane Lowry set records on a soft course.

PGA Tour star Rory McIlroy turns heads with bold outfit in return to Royal Portrush ahead of The Open Championship.

Scheffler shared an introspective look at what he holds dearest before playing the season's fourth major championship